Nutrition Support Dietitian

Requisition number: 2389932

Job category: Medical & Clinical Operations

Optum is a global organization that delivers care, aided by technology, to help millions of people live healthier lives. The work you do with our team will directly improve health outcomes by connecting people with the care, pharmacy benefits, data and resources they need to feel their best. Here, you will find a culture guided by inclusion, talented peers, comprehensive benefits and career development opportunities. Come make an impact on the communities we serve as you help us advance health optimization on a global scale. Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

The primary role of the Nutrition Support Dietitian is to drive the nutrition care process in the assigned Optum Infusion Pharmacy (OIP) branch(s) serving as the nutrition support resource, subject matter expert, and provider of clinical nutrition care for patients.

This is a remote position, candidate would be expected to work 8:00am-5:00pm within the Chandler AZ time zone.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Serves as a nutrition support subject matter expert (SME) providing nutrition care for Optum patients referred for home parenteral nutrition (PN)

• Leads the nutrition care process in the branch; communicates and helps to educate outside healthcare providers/physicians/referral sources regarding nutritional needs of patients currently receiving, or potentially needing home PN from OIP

• Collaborates strategically with cross-functional teams to advance nutrition support practice in concert with business goals

• Performs nutritional screening and assessment for patients receiving PN therapy. Clinical nutrition support capabilities related to nutrition assessment include but are not limited to:

• Diet history and recall

• Estimation of nutrient intake

• Calculation of nutritional requirements

• Recommendation appropriate route to feed (oral, enteral, parenteral)

• Evaluation and assessment of lab results related to the nutrition prescription

• Assessment of drug-nutrient interactions

• Recommendation for parenteral formula which may include: macronutrients and micronutrients such as electrolytes and trace elements in PN

• Develops and implements a nutritional plan of care and shares with the interdisciplinary branch/hub team and prescriber/healthcare provider

• Monitors the patient response to nutritional care on an ongoing basis, assisting with transitional feeding guidance as appropriate, documenting initial and ongoing electronic nutritional assessments in company EMR

• Maintains a clinical understanding of the therapies and disease states serviced by OIP

• Completes all mandatory company training by required due dates

• Assists in cross functional training/PN continuing education (CE) for pharmacy and nursing; along with onboarding and training of new Optum dietitians

• Provides clinical sales support (occasionally) by conducting or attending in-services, CE programs or meetings with external customers as needed: may include referral sources, payors, nursing agencies, physicians, etc.

• Works in conjunction with nutrition/clinical services leadership team to create, update, and implement processes to increase efficiency, accuracy, and safety of patient care services

• Assists with reimbursement related activities related to securing home PN coverage, ie. serving on the Medicare PN Approval group email

• Assists leadership team with special projects, ie. ASPEN abstracts, clinical training, internal and external continuing education programs, annual review of nutrition protocols and standards of practice

• Represents self in a professional and ethical manner at all times, complying with all applicable United Health Group/Optum Standards of Conduct

• Maintains and develops professional competency through seminars, conferences, workshops and professional affiliations

• Maintains confidentiality of patient and competitive information

• Takes responsibility for maintaining employment requirements: orientation and onboarding activities, current PN/EN knowledge, professional registration and state licensure when required, additional certifications, as required by internal and external regulatory bodies

• Participates in professional organizations such as ASPEN, National Home Infusion Association, Oley Foundation, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, etc.

• Completes all mandatory annual in-services and company educational modules required

You'll be rewarded and recognized for your performance in an environment that will challenge you and give you clear direction on what it takes to succeed in your role as well as provide development for other roles you may be interested in.

Required Qualifications:

• Registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) through the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and licensed by the state, as appropriate

• Certified Nutrition Support Clinician (CNSC) or planning to take certification exam in first year of employment

• Active professional affiliations

• 8+ years of clinical nutritional support experience (home infusion experience preferred)

• Proven excellent verbal, written, organizational and interpersonal skills

• Proven ability to work with a cross-functional team of internal and external professionals including dietitians, pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, nurses, sales representatives, branch and regional managers, departmental leaders, case managers, discharge planners, physicians, outside nursing agencies, patients, families and caregivers

• Proven ability to work independently and remotely. Occasional travel may be required

Preferred Qualifications:

• Reside within or near Chandler, AZ to visit the Pharmacy on an as needed basis

Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to local labor markets, education, work experience, certifications, etc. In addition to your salary, we offer benefits such as, a comprehensive benefits package, incentive and recognition programs, equity stock purchase and 401k contribution (all benefits are subject to eligibility requirements). No matter where or when you begin a career with us, you'll find a far-reaching choice of benefits and incentives. The salary for this role will range from $72,800 to $130,000 annually based on full-time employment. We comply with all minimum wage laws as applicable.

At UnitedHealth Group, our mission is to help people live healthier lives and make the health system work better for everyone. We believe everyone-of every race, gender, sexuality, age, location and income-deserves the opportunity to live their healthiest life. Today, however, there are still far too many barriers to good health which are disproportionately experienced by people of color, historically marginalized groups and those with lower incomes. We are committed to mitigating our impact on the environment and enabling and delivering equitable care that addresses health disparities and improves health outcomes - an enterprise priority reflected in our mission.

UnitedHealth Group is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer under applicable law and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, religion, age, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state, or federal laws, rules, or regulations.

UnitedHealth Group is a drug-free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.